Garfish

The Garfish (Belone belone) is a slender, surface-dwelling species in the needlefish family Belonidae, closely related to needlefishes and sauries within the order Beloniformes. It is found throughout the northeastern Atlantic and Mediterranean, from Norway and the British Isles south to North Africa. A migratory, coastal pelagic species, it moves inshore in spring and summer to spawn before retreating to deeper offshore water in winter. The Garfish is notable among fish for its bright green bones and backbone, a harmless pigment-related trait that often surprises people unfamiliar with the species. Its long, thin jaws and torpedo-shaped body make it one of the most recognizable inshore fish of the region.

• Extremely elongated, slender body reaching 50-75 cm, occasionally larger
• Long, narrow jaws of roughly equal length, lined with small sharp teeth
• Iridescent blue-green back grading to silvery sides and belly
• Single dorsal fin positioned far back on the body, mirrored by a similarly placed anal fin
• Slightly forked tail fin
• A distinctive internal trait: the backbone and bones are bright green, unique among common European coastal fish
• Distinguished from needlefish of other regions by its strictly northeast Atlantic and Mediterranean range and smaller maximum size

Garfish are a coastal pelagic species of the northeastern Atlantic and Mediterranean, ranging from Norwegian and British waters south to the Iberian Peninsula, Mediterranean Sea, and North Africa. They spend most of the year in open water but move into shallow inshore areas, harbors, and around piers and rocky shorelines in spring and summer, often just beneath the surface. During colder months they retreat to deeper, warmer offshore water. The species tolerates a range of temperate sea temperatures and is commonly encountered in bays, estuarine mouths, and along open coastlines wherever small schooling baitfish are abundant, since its seasonal movements track prey availability and water temperature.

Garfish travel and hunt in loose schools near the surface, using rapid bursts of speed to chase down small schooling fish such as sprat and sandeels, which they seize sideways with their needle-like jaws. They are strong, active swimmers capable of skittering or leaping across the surface when pursued by larger predators or startled by boats. Garfish undertake seasonal inshore-offshore migrations, moving into shallow coastal waters to spawn in spring and early summer. Eggs are laid among floating or attached seaweed and bear sticky filaments that anchor them in place until hatching.